Bernard de Marigny's Whimsical Street Names

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Keep an eye out for the street signs as you walk. You might spot a road called Desire. Or, if you head a bit further, you’ll find one simply named Craps.

It sounds like a joke, but it’s actually the work of a Creole aristocrat with a flair for the dramatic. In 1806, Bernard de Marigny subdivided his downriver plantation to create Faubourg Marigny, one of New Orleans’ very first suburbs. Instead of using standard numbers, he dipped into a well of whimsy and symbolism.

He gave us Elysian Fields, for the heavens. He gave us Music and Poets, for the arts. There’s Piety, and Good Children—originally Rue de Bons Enfans.

And then, there’s the mischief. Local tradition says Marigny named Craps after the dice game he is credited with popularizing here. Some sources even mention a street named Love, alongside others like History and Frenchmen.

These weren’t just addresses; they were a statement. Marigny hired surveyors to carve up his land, but he kept the soul of it playful. So, as you stroll past these quirky names, remember you’re walking through a neighborhood designed by a man who knew that life, much like a roll of the dice, is better when you have a good sense of humor.

Updated June 2026